"It's inevitable that we'll clash with Shrek in the future. Sending in some undercover agents ahead of time is definitely a good move."
"Who knows, maybe Xuanzi can even climb his way to the top."
Jiang Jue clenched his left fist as gray soul power swirled around him, muttering under his breath.
Shrek Academy was undoubtedly a serious threat—not because of anything else, but due to its millennia-long influence.
Back when the Sun-Moon Continent and the Douluo Continent first collided, war broke out between the two sides. The Sun-Moon Continent initially held the upper hand due to its advantage in soul tools, suppressing the former three great empires of Douluo.
But at the crucial moment, the then-headmaster of Shrek Academy rallied the Title Douluos of the three empires. In terms of top-tier strength, they managed to defeat the Sun-Moon forces in one decisive blow. Thus, the Sun-Moon Continent was absorbed into the Douluo Continent.
Shrek's millennia of influence and the countless strong individuals it produced made it a formidable power. Back then, even Wang Yan had once said that compared to national sentiment, the people who came out of Shrek valued the academy far more deeply.
"Sigh, when it comes to brainwashing, Shrek really takes the crown."
Thinking of this, Jiang Jue couldn't help but sigh.
In terms of "long-distance livestock farming," their Holy Spirit Cult really couldn't compare to Shrek. In another timeline, even after Tang Ya and Ma Xiaotao were drugged to hell and back by the Holy Spirit Cult, they still ended up running back.
You could accuse Shrek of double standards, but no one ever called them weak.
At the time, Xu Tiannan was close to crushing the three great empires in one go. He wasn't even thinking about destroying Shrek Academy—instead, he wanted to go there to search for ways to heal his legs and help "Brother Kun."
Shrek Academy might not be a nation, but in Jiang Jue's eyes, its level of threat was no less than one. The key lay in how it bonded the former three great empires together.
"This year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament is the first step toward shattering Shrek Academy's glory."
"Besides, Xuanzi's martial soul… wasn't it devouring-type?"
Jiang Jue thought to himself. Suddenly, he realized that once Mu En died, Shrek Academy really wouldn't have much to show for itself. And the current headmaster, Yan Shaozhe, was supposedly a descendant of Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao.
"If I can get control of Xuanzi… wouldn't Shrek basically become a branch of the Holy Spirit Cult?"
With that thought, Jiang Jue suddenly found himself with an even better idea…
The next day, Shrek Academy.
A disheveled-haired Xuanzi sat on the steps, chugging alcohol. Footsteps approached behind him, and an elderly man in white clothing walked over.
"How are they doing?" Xuanzi asked in a low tone, eyes dim with sorrow.
The white-robed elder respectfully stood behind Xuanzi and replied:
"The situation has stabilized. It was corpse poison—fortunately, it was just that single toxin. You brought them back in time, so their lives are no longer in danger."
"Chen Zifeng's leg has also been examined by the Soul Tool Department. They can make a prosthetic. While his mobility will be slightly affected, it shouldn't…"
"…shouldn't affect his combat power much."
"That's good."
Xuanzi exhaled a breath of wine and sighed.
Just then, another man in white robes with bright eyes approached from the other side—it was none other than the headmaster of Shrek Academy, Yan Shaozhe.
"Elder Xuan, this incident wasn't your fault. Don't beat yourself up too much," Yan said in a low voice, trying to console him.
"That damned Death Envoy and the evil soul master Title Douluo were to blame. If it weren't for them, there wouldn't have been any accidents with you around."
As someone skilled in shifting blame, Yan Shaozhe tried to ease the burden.
He couldn't let a few students drag down Xuanzi—a rank 98 Super Douluo. That would be a huge loss for Shrek.
Xuanzi didn't reply. He just shook his head.
"Come on, the Sea God's Pavilion meeting has already started."
Sea God's Pavilion.
One of the three most powerful forces in the world today.
At this moment, both sides of the long table were already filled with people—every one of them was a Title Douluo-level powerhouse. Even the four deans and vice-deans of the Martial Soul and Soul Tool Departments had to sit at the end of the table.
Seated at the head of the long table was a hunched old man in a wheelchair, his spine visibly deformed.
Yet everyone at the table looked at him with respect. The reason?
He was Dragon God Douluo—Mu En. A rank 99 Limit Douluo.
He was Shrek Academy's greatest hidden strength.
"Speak, Xuanzi. Why did you call for a Sea God's Pavilion meeting?"
A gentle voice spoke—Mu En's soft tone echoed.
Xuanzi nodded, slowly stood, and said in a deep voice:
"This incident is something you all already know. It's not the first time something has gone wrong under my leadership. As the one responsible, I can't shirk it. Therefore, I've decided to resign from the position of head of Shrek's Disciplinary Committee and withdraw from the Sea God's Pavilion. I'll just be an idle man in the academy."
His words shocked everyone present, who immediately began urging him not to step down.
Mu En, still seated in his wheelchair, said nothing. He watched their reactions with eyes full of worry.
"Xuanzi is too impulsive. Every time something happens, he tries to run instead of facing it."
"Yan Shaozhe may have great talent, but he lacks the breadth of mind and vision to shoulder great responsibilities. His cultivation has also stagnated."
"And the next generation hasn't fully matured yet. The strongest one, Zhang Lexuan, hasn't even reached Title Douluo."
"If I pass away… what will become of Shrek?"
Mu En slowly closed his eyes, feeling a helpless sense of having no worthy successors.
But just then, Xuanzi, ignoring everyone's objections, began walking toward the exit.
"Come back!"
A calm voice filled with invisible authority echoed. Though the two words were spoken softly, Xuanzi halted mid-step.
This time, Mu En had to step in.
His gentle gaze hardened for once as he spoke sternly:
"You're over two hundred years old—how are you still so immature? If everyone who made a mistake just quit like a coward, there'd be no point in running Shrek Academy."
"I…"
"What do you mean 'I'? If you want to leave, fine. But first, pass on the bloodline of the Taotie Divine Bull martial soul. Then you can go."
At those words, Xuanzi's old face turned red. The others gave him odd looks.
"If you're not saying anything, then sit down and stay put. You can make up for your mistake."
Xuanzi couldn't say a word and quietly returned to his seat.
"And while we're at it, I have something to announce."
"I've made the decision—after this Sea God's Pavilion meeting, all inner court students must get fitted by Xian Lin'er for at least one flying soul tool and one defensive soul tool. The academy will increase its support for the Soul Tool Department."
"Anyone who disagrees can leave the academy voluntarily."
A look of joy appeared on Xian Lin'er's face, while across from her, Yan Shaozhe frowned.
His pride as a member of the Martial Soul Department wouldn't let him bow his head—but faced with Mu En, he could only lower his head and agree.
(End of Chapter)